A responsible attitude toward gambling is essential while gambling at National Casino Canada. It is safe to say that this type of recreational activity emerged a long time ago. But recently, with the growing popularity and availability of online casinos, there has been much heated debate regarding the emergence of addiction and the protection of players from excessive addiction to gambling.
Although studies show that only a small portion of the adult population has an addiction problem, there is no denying the seriousness of the problem. Most gambling establishments strive to comply with all reporting requirements to protect the players themselves and their families.
Let’s start with the reasons for the excessive fascination with gambling on the Internet:
- On the Internet, a person can remain anonymous.
- Online casinos operate 24/7, and you can play from the comfort of your home or anywhere thanks to modern mobile solutions.
- In this format, it is difficult for players to notice the first signs of gambling addiction.
Gambling Addiction and How to Recognize It
Most people who play online casinos enjoy the process without compromising their health or well-being. Problems arise when the game becomes uncontrollable: one ceases to control the frequency and duration of play and cannot resist temptation. As a result, problems arise in social, labor, material and family relations.
So, it is essential that the self and the player be able to detect and recognize the first signs that indicate the emergence of addiction. The earlier the problem is discovered, the easier it is to deal with.
To help determine whether or not you or a loved one has an addiction, we offer a list of questions:
- Do you often find yourself thinking about the game (thinking about the process, betting amounts, scrolling through past games, etc.)?
- Do you often gamble on raises / with large sums to experience a sense of excitement?
- Recent attempts to control or reduce playing time have failed?
- Do you feel annoyed and/or anxious when you have to finish a game?
- Do you often try to win back lost money with new bets? Do you borrow money?
- Are you honest with yourself and others about the time you spend at the online casino? Do you cheat/hibernate from your loved ones about your hobby?
- Have you ever cheated or broken the law to get money to pay off debts?
- Have your relationships at work/family worsened recently?
If you answered at least five questions in the affirmative, we strongly recommend that you seek professional help.
How Addiction Develops
A person who develops a gambling addiction goes through four stages associated with different emotions: winning (euphoria), losing (disappointment, despair), despair, and hopelessness.
The first stage (winning) a person experiences elation and euphoria from winning. He begins to think that it is possible to win even more, so the bets and the duration of the game gradually increase.
The second stage (losing) quickly replaces euphoria. The player begins to lose, and the euphoria is replaced by frustration, disappointment, mixed with the hope to win back the lost money. The amount of debt increases, relationships at work and in the family deteriorate.
The third stage (despair) is characterized by the fact that the person completely loses control of the game. Experiencing a constant feeling of guilt and shame, he cannot stop. At this stage, the line between ethics and morality is erased. So a person can go for violations of the law. Divorce, dismissal and the first problems with the law are possible.
The despondency stage is associated with an emotional bottom, that is, a lack of faith in oneself or the effectiveness of getting help. Many people may suffer from other addictions-alcohol, drugs-and think about suicide.
How to Combat Gambling
Almost all online casinos provide tools to limit play. It is a question of betting limits or the duration of the game, as well as the exclusion of the player on the casino site or in the register of players. In addition, all gambling establishments that have a license use identity and rights verification systems to identify minors when attempting to enter a casino site.
Protection of Minors
According to Estonian law, gambling is not allowed to persons under the age of 21. By gambling is meant only online casinos.
In general, the system of registration and opening a gaming account on the sites of licensed casinos completely excludes underage players, as it requires the entry of an identification code, as well as personal information. Bank information is also requested, and all documents are verified. Parents can download software that blocks access to selected sites. Good examples of such software are NetNanny and CyberPatrol.
Test for Addiction
If you have suspicions that you have an addiction, be sure to contact a specialist who can determine the seriousness of the problem in a personal conversation and outline the steps for further action.
Self-exclusion and Temporary Account Closure
This is a great measure for those who feel it is time to stop and take a break. In fact, you exclude yourself from the list of players on the casino site. During a certain period (the casino sites may vary), you will not be able to enter your game account. At the end of the period you can return to the game, or if you want to put a new restriction.
Measures of Restrictions
A simple way to control the amount of money you spend on gambling is to set limits. The amounts and periods vary from casino to casino. For example, you may decide that for a week your budget is $100. So, if you use all of those 100 euros for 7 days, you won’t be able to gamble the rest of the time. You can also limit the frequency of depositing and the maximum loss limit, when it is not about the amount of bets, but about the money lost.
Be sure to consider the following:
- The maximum betting limit and their period of validity start working immediately.
- The maximum period is 7 days. This is most likely due to the fact that players must make a conscious decision about the size of the limit and be able to change it if necessary.
Loss Limit
In addition, you can limit the amount of possible losses. In this case, all bets made are not taken into account.
If the suggested measures do not work, or the player refuses to limit himself in the game, you can also ask for professional help.
